The PM should address Manipur, MPs are right: Ex-J-K governor Malik

Satya Pal Malik, a former governor of Jammu and Kashmir, said on Monday that the opposition MPs’ demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a remark about the Manipur issue in Parliament was “valid” and questioned why the state’s chief minister had not been dismissed.

Malik told reporters at the Press Club of India, “I don’t know why he’s avoiding it.

Even though Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed the House that the administration will discuss the matter, opposition members in the Lok Sabha continued to protest Prime Minister Modi’s remarks regarding the Manipur situation till the proceedings were halted for the day.

Following a commotion over the Manipur issue and the suspension of AAP MP Sanjay Singh from the House for the remainder of the Monsoon session, Rajya Sabha proceedings were also suspended for the day.

In recent months, Malik has been outspoken in his criticism of Prime Minister Modi. “MPs have a valid demand that the Hon’ble Prime Minister should come and give his statement and a discussion be held,” he added.

After the top justice of India “warned” that the supreme court will take action if nothing changes on the ground, the prime minister addressed the nation outside of Parliament, according to Malik.

Later, in response to a question regarding the situation in Manipur, he stated to PTI Video that “even after the May 4 incident, they are dismissing the (Manipur) chief minister…more than two months have elapsed and no action has been taken. The entire nation should be ashamed of this. The opposition demanded a statement from the prime minister and a discussion on the situation in the conflict-torn northeastern state on the first two days of the Monsoon session, which were Thursday and Friday. The Manipur violence shook the proceedings in both Houses of Parliament during those two days.

The meeting started a day after a national outcry was sparked by a viral video clip that appeared to have been filmed on May 4 and showed two women being paraded naked by a mob in a Manipur hamlet.

A few of the suspects featured in the video have been detained by the Manipur Police.

According to the authorities, a case of kidnapping, gang rape, and murder against unidentified armed criminals has been filed at the Nongpok Sekmai police station in the Thoubal district.

Malik spoke at a news conference organised by the Sanyukt Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan at the news Club of India first. He recalled the farmers’ agitation of 2020–21 that forced the government to remove the three “black” farm regulations.

Farmers are skilled at defending their rights, and according to the previous governor of Jammu and Kashmir, “I am hopeful that they will also get MSP implemented.”